Odd's and End's

So, I was in the middle of a post and my computer shut down (over-heated)...it's done that mostly when I've been on skype (?). Anyway, just wanted to give an update on this past week and a half. This weekend we stayed in Segovia and hung out. No grand paintings or magnificent new places to see. I did go on a run; there's a path that goes around the castle and I didn't take the turn I was supposed to. I ended up exploring and climbed a giant hill. It was then that I realized how far out of the way I was.

Segovia is a great place to explore, there is practically a bar on every street (no joke). I am currently in a bar between my house and the university that is the only one I know of with wifi. I haven't seen many people my age around, but after being here for a while...about 10 girls and 1 guy walked in. Seems like I found the hangout, it's just hard to time when people are around.

Yesterday was the first day that I felt a bit homesick, I wasn't fed very much and I guess that's my fault for not speaking up. I realize I haven't given as much general infomration as I would have liked so I'll let you in on the typical day for me.

It starts with me getting up around 8:30, I make a small breakfast for myself....pre-toasted bread, hot chocolate (they leave their milk out until opened...sketchy), and a clementine. Shower and off to school, get there early, class starts at 9:30-11. Then 11:30-1. Hang out and be home by 2ish for lunch. It's kinda nice that everyone comes home for lunch and we watch this cooking show. I have learned a lot of cooking words and I'm more interested to get into the kitchen or at least try some of his dishes. Either take a short nap (siesta) or go back to school or explore Segovia. Homework has been fairly light, a lot of reading for Senior Seminar, but we have a lot of time on our hands. Then later in the afternoon, I've been getting tapas...a beer and chips or other snacks come free with your drink. I go home for dinner at 9:30ish and if I go out for the night, it wouldn't be until 11. This is actually quite early for spaniards. The bars don't get busy until 12 and the bars with dancing doesn't start until 3:30 or 4 in the morning.

So far, Segovians in general have been a bit reserved. I have tried saying hi to people or starting conversations. It's been hit or miss, but overall I've gotten brushed off. It's understandable I guess. Soon enough we will start sports and get a Tandem partner to practice our spanish and meet others. I will leave you with a picture of me and my sisters (can't you see how much they like hanging out with me!).

Dave

Alcanzar

Well, so much for the chronology. I was so hyped up on Madrid on Saturday and Sunday that I forgot to post pictures of the Alcanzar castle we toured on Friday before we left. Segovia was built on a hill and the castle stands enormously at the top of 2 rivers.

I can't provide a legit source, but I heard that the Magic Kingdom in Disney World was modeled after this castle. It was originally built by the moors and later taken over by the Christians (Ferdinand and Isabella). The architecture, ceilings, and walls are beautiful and reflect an original Islamic style. I can briefly seen the aqueduct and the castle on my walk to school. Yes, I am living a fairytale.

More Pictures in Madrid

The above 2 pictures are at the park. People were playing soccer/hacky sack; tons of nations represented. There was also these bongo players and the acoustics were great...esp across the water.

I don't know the format of this blog but one of these is of Glady's (our director) and I. The other is in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid.

Madrid

I don't know how to start these blogs cause I'm overcome with a smile thinking about the amazing things we have experienced. Well, chronologically is traditionally the way to go so we left on Saturday morning and got to Madrid in the afternoon.

We went to the Refina Sofia, a modern art museum that had Picasso's Guernica, Dali, Miro, Solano, and other contemorary paintings and photography. Guernica was by far the most amazing site thus far on the trip. I didn't realize how big it was. Then we took an hour break for a late lunch and went to the Prado museum (both museums happened to be really close to our hotel). The Prado has much older art and we got to see Goya, Velazquez, El Greco, and other artists. Favorites included Las Meninas (Velazquez), Saturo (Goya), and the 2nd and 3rd of May (Goya). I took a class at CDH that covered spanish art and I really appreciated having this backround. I also took a spain culture class this past semester and learned a ton more about the history and artists.

We finished up around 8 and went back to the hotel. We tried to keep dinner cheap and just bought some bread (p.s. ton of bagette bread, all fresh and delicious...don't worry I am eating plenty here). We hung out at the hotel until 12 (we waited for the club to open). We went to the Teatro Kapital, supposedly the 2nd biggest club in Europe; it had 7 stories, each having different music, tons of people, lots of dancing, and we ended up leaving at 6 a.m. I'm not planning on making this a weekly occurence, but it was a great experience. We met some people from America, but the coolest people we met were from France. One of the girls had actually studied abroad with Timmer, a friend who attended CDH; small world.

I got about 3 hours of sleep and then we had breakfast and went to the Plaza Mayor, church (35 minutes masses here of the 2 I've been to), and then the Rastro (a flea market). The rest of Sunday was really relaxed. We went to a restaurant (I liked my host family's paella better because we had more seafood in ours...3.5), went to a giant park and relaxed to free music. This park had a man made lake, and a great layout. I talked with a woman for a while, told her what I was doing here...later in our spanish conversation she told me she spoke english and you should have seen my suprised face (obiously I couldn't see it, but it was a funny reaction). We went back to the hotel and left at 6, got back to Segovia at 8. Great time, great people. Hopefully I can make it back there again.

P.S. just want to comment on the street graffiti art. It's pretty sweet.

Photos

Meals

What have I eaten you ask? Food critic Dave can rank the meals.

paella-shrimp, mussels, squid?, basically seafood I haven't eaten that tastes like warm salty rubber, with rice that tasted like macaroni and cheese. Good. 5.

pizza-she said she made it (I questioned if it was store bought)..but it was pretty tastey. Pretty good 4.

beans soup/deviled eggs- soup was alright, she told me that it was impolite to slurp...never had deviled eggs before and I never want to again...the mayonasse is a bit too much. Gross 1.

bagette (as a side)- Oh my Gosh. The best thing other than the aqueduct. If I don't like the meal, I fill up on bread and water. They think I eat to slow, but I am still getting used to the flavors and need to drink lots of water in between. Yum. 5!

greasy fish and potatos (french fries)- good, but they saturate the hell out of their food. Pretty good but flush it down with water. 4.

eggs and hot dogs with tomato on the side- legit. I usually don't eat 3 hot dogs in the meal but it would be bad to waste food. Conroy would be so ashamed. Decent, but not my fav. 3.

oh for breakfast! coffee or hot chocolate, a small roll with chocolate in the middle, a piece of fruit, maybe a yougurt...very small breakfast but it gets the job done. We always have a clemintine after a meal. Alright, I need to go, but enjoy chips and salsa because I thought they would have that here...misconception. Que le tenga un buen dia!

David

Keepin it short

So I have been keeping a journal, but I haven´t had a lot of time with internet access because I can primarily get it at the school so I will keep this brief. I am alive and well. Segovia is a really pretty and older looking city. I´m starting to develop a routine and those siestas are coming in handy.

My accomidations are great except that I´m one of the furthest people away and I don´t live close to anyone. I really like my family and while my spanish is a bit patchy, they is mutual understanding. I was really lucky flying standby because I got a first class ticket from atlanta to madrid and got to sit next to sophie (a girl on the trip). We arrived at 9:15 spain time and due to a little bit of snow in Madrid, they closed the airport for the first time in its history (at 11). 3 people had to go to Barcelona and got to Segovia the next day.

Anyway, hope all is well in the states and where ever else you are studying . Ciao!

David

Thrifty delays

Well, my aunt Annette is pretty wonderful. She was able to switch my standby ticket from today to this upcoming Thursday. The good news is I get to spend a few extra days with my family and I save some money for hostels and food during the days I would have been in Spain. I also get to watch the Vikings game (God bless their souls), play a little more pond hockey, and prepare a bit more before I go. The bad news is I am not in Spain! I'm getting antsy. I had my whole backpack packed and now I have to sit and anticipate. I hope its true that good things come to those who wait. And to tip the stress meter, it is standby ticket. I hope I make the flight, otherwise I'll be late for the program.

What this all boils down to...is that if I haven't seen you this Christmas break, God has bestowed a few extra days for me to see you! I hope to make the most out of St. Paul if I'm missing Spain because of it! God Bless and go Vikings!